Anthony Joshua stopped boxing novice Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami. The bout ranked among the most uneven contests modern boxing has produced. Paul spent much of the fight retreating and avoiding exchanges. He relied on movement and caution rather than sustained offense. Joshua showed increasing frustration as Paul refused to engage.
The former two-time world champion took control in the fifth round. Joshua closed the ring and forced exchanges. He dropped Paul twice under constant pressure. The sequence underlined the vast gap in class and experience.
Paul fell again early in the sixth round. Joshua then landed a clean and decisive right hand. The punch ended a surreal spectacle at the Kaseya Center. Paul failed to beat the referee’s count.
Relief spread through the arena when Paul stood up unaided. He left the ring on his own feet.
“It wasn’t my best performance,” Joshua said afterward. “I wanted to trap Jake Paul and hurt him.” He admitted the finish arrived later than expected. “The right hand finally landed,” he added.
The outcome matched widespread predictions. The fight renewed debate about safety in crossover boxing. Experience, size, and power separated the fighters completely.
Joshua recorded the 29th victory of his professional career from 33 fights. He now turns toward more legitimate opposition. A long-discussed clash with Tyson Fury remains the main objective.
“Fight a real fighter,” Joshua said. “Step in with me if you truly believe it.”
Paul failed to deliver the upset he promised before the bout. His confidence faded under sustained pressure.
The 28-year-old hit the canvas repeatedly and grabbed Joshua’s legs. The two-stone weight difference dictated the contest throughout.
Paul landed a few clean punches. The fight reaching the sixth round reflected poorly on Joshua’s sharpness.
Joshua advances relentlessly as Paul circles in retreat
Joshua walked to the ring first and received mixed reactions. His stern expression showed clear focus. He treated the contest seriously throughout the build-up.
Paul’s ringwalk drew attention for different reasons. Rapper 6ix9ine accompanied him to the ring. The appearance unsettled sections of the crowd.
After the opening bell, Paul circled constantly on the outside. Boos followed quickly. Joshua pressed forward and threw heavy shots. Many punches missed narrowly. Each miss drew gasps from the stands.
Paul responded with gestures and showmanship. He stuck out his tongue and played to the cameras. Every surviving minute felt like success.
Only 13 months earlier, Paul had fought 58-year-old Mike Tyson. That comparison shaped expectations throughout the night.
Paul landed a wide right hand in the fourth round. The punch failed to trouble Joshua. He continued marching forward without hesitation.
More than 300 million Netflix subscribers watched the fight live. Celebrities filled the ringside seats. Rory McIlroy attended after his Sports Personality of the Year win. Rick Ross and Timbaland also watched closely.
The fifth round delivered the breakthrough many expected earlier. A right hook clipped Paul and sent him down. A swift combination dropped him again. Paul rose slowly and breathed heavily. He tried masking the damage with bravado.
Another heavy right in the sixth round sent Paul sprawling once more. Sections of the crowd urged the referee to intervene.
Many recalled Joshua’s knockout of Francis Ngannou last year. A familiar ending approached. It arrived with less brutality. The straight right finally landed flush.
Joshua plans next move as Paul clings to ambition
This contest never aimed to test Joshua’s elite boxing ability. Promoters built it for spectacle and revenue. Entertainment shaped the entire event.
“I don’t care about legacy,” Joshua said. “Legacy fades with time.” He described the bout as professional work. “I will keep doing this while I can,” he added.
Joshua leaves Miami with a reported £210m purse share. His team plans another warm-up fight in February. Focus then shifts toward a possible Fury showdown in 2026.
Paul accepted defeat without excuses. “I got beat up,” he said afterward. He still spoke confidently about returning.
“I think my jaw is broken,” Paul said. “But I will come back.” He promised to chase a cruiserweight world title.
Love him or loathe him, Paul commands attention. Few fighters generate comparable debate. His promotional power sold belief. Inside the ring, his limits stood exposed.
